Ferguson said: “When I saw that fixture list... I would have been raging at that! I would have gone down to the league. It was a really difficult start to the season.

“But do you know something - Manchester United are the only team in that league that can win the league coming from behind.

“This press conference has come at a bad time for me - if they were top of the league, I wouldn’t be asked.

“When I joined Manchester United, I got great encouragement from [former Reds boss] Matt Busby - he was fantastic and helped me along the way. I hope to help David Moyes in exactly the same way, he has a great support system.

“David Moyes is in a great position and will get the same support I got, in terms of David Gill, Bobby Charlton, it’s a great support system. They will be fine.”

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